NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Appeal Court affirms Okpebholo’s election victory as Ighodalo heads to Supreme Court
Judiciary

Appeal Court affirms Okpebholo’s election victory as Ighodalo heads to Supreme Court

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By Taiye Agbaje/Edith Nwapi
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday, affirmed the election of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Edo and winner of the election held on September 21, 2024.
A three-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgment, held that the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was unmeritorious.
Justice Olabode-Abimbola Adegbehingbe, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appellants failed to show that the election tribunal erred in its decision and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the tribunal delivered on April 2.
Justice Adegbehingbe also held that the tribunal was right to hold that the petitioners did not prove their allegations of non-compliance and over voting.
The judge equally held that the evidence of 19 witnesses, called by the appellants at the tribunal, were insufficient to prove the allegations, adding that they failed to call relevant witnesses from the polling units complained about.
“The case of the petitioners (appellants) was inadequately presented by calling only 19 witnesses, most of whom did not witness what happened at the polling units,” he said.
Justice Adegbehingbe noted that 14 out of the 19 witnesses called by the respondents at the tribunal, gave evidence about what they did not witness, having not been present at the polling units when the election was held.
He added that it was impossible for the appellants to prove over voting when they failed to tender voters register.
In partly allowing the cross appeal filed by Okpebholo, Justice Adegbehingbe set aside the decision by the tribunal, admitting the 133 Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines tendered by the appellants in their bid to prove over voting.
The judge said the BVAS machines were wrongly admitted having been tendered from the bar by the appellants’ legal team.
He further held that the tribunal was in grave error when it admitted the BVAS machines that were tendered from the bar in the absence of a prior consent of parties.
The judge said: “The condition precedent to the admission of exhibits from the bar, which is concession, was absent.
“The 133 BVAS machines were wrongly admitted in the manner adopted by the tribunal.”
The judge added that the admission of the BVAS machines was a miscarriage of justice.
He proceeded to set it aside and expunged the BVAS from the record of the tribunal.
Justice Adegbehingbe also struck down some part of the petition filed before the tribunal by Ighodalo and the PDP for being defective.
Meanwhile, Ighodalo and the PDP have vowed to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.
A chieftain of the PDP, who was in court, said their legal team had been instructed to immediately lodge an appeal before the apex court (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
FG targets 24-hour internet, power supply to special institutions
Science & Tech

FG targets 24-hour internet, power supply to special institutions

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By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government has inaugurated fibre-to-home to hostels at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) as part of plans to ensure 24- hour internet supply to special institutions nationwide before the end of 2026.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said at an event in Abuja that the Federal Government was determined to provide the enabling environment for teaching and learning to thrive.

Alausa said that UniAbuja was a special institution, now enjoying 24-hour internet supply, adding that other special institutions would enjoy the same before the end of 2026.

“President Bola Tinubu is energising institutions. We have special institutions in the country today enjoying 24-hour electricity via the presidential renewable mini-grid project, the solarisation project.

“University of Abuja is one of the beneficiaries. You have a 3.3 megahertz mini-grid here and everybody can attest to it now that you have 24-hour electricity supply.

“The president is not stopping there. Before the end of next year, literally all the special institutions will have mini-grid. You will all enjoy 24-hour electricity supply,” he said.

It is expected that the regular power supply would support the internet facility.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani said that UniAbuja was the first of the seven universities in the first phase of the pilot scheme.

Tijani said that by the end of July the seven institutions  would have been connected.

“This initiative we are launching here today is the first of the seven in a pilot scheme, and by the end of July we would have connected the seven universities.

“Galaxy Backbone has the infrastructure in place already; all we are doing is to take the fibre to hostels.

“We have taught it to be important that Nigerian university students cannot continue to learn without access to meaningful connectivity.

“When we give you this access that not only are you going to be better in what you are learning, but you are actually going to create the future that our president is asking that we create as a nation,” he said.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Patricia Lar, in her welcome address, lauded the project, adding that it will benefit the school community.

“It is a special initiative that is going to create opportunities for students of all economic status to access data to be able to use for knowledge and education and to feed their creativity with ease.

“We are grateful for deploying fibre to our hostels. This also works with the solar power backup that has been installed in our campus.

The President, Medical Students Association of the institution, Faith David, who spoke on behalf of the students expressed delight with what the government had done by connecting their hostels to fibre for Internet access.

“We appreciate both ministers for this initiative, we are enjoying 24 hour power and now our hostels have been connected to the internet to make learning easier for us,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Akpabio hails Tinubu’s two years of transformative leadership
Politics

Akpabio hails Tinubu’s two years of transformative leadership

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By Naomi Sharang

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended President Bola Tinubu for restoring the hope of Nigerians for a viable and sustainable nation through transformative and courageous leadership.

Akpabio stated this in a message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh on Thursday in Abuja.

He congratulated President Tinubu on his second year anniversary in Office, saying the president in the last two years has placed Nigeria on a solid developmental pedestal using the Renewed Hope Agenda as his policy thrust.

He said: “Today, May 29, 2025, marks the second year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Senate, the entire National Assembly, my family and constituents, I extend my warmest and profound congratulations to a visionary, courageous and transformative leader, President Bola Tinubu on this milestone.

“I commend President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is gradually revitalising our economy, improving the lives of Nigerians, rekindling hope in our people and building a brighter and prosperous future for our nation.”

Akpabio further said that Tinubu’s bold initiatives and reforms, particularly in the areas of economic and fiscal policies, demonstrated his undying dedication to transforming Nigeria to its deserving greatness.

“Your drive and obsession to giving every section of the country a sense of belonging has clearly been demonstrated in the creation of development commissions in all the geopolitical zones.

“This is unprecedented in the annals of our nationhood.

“The level of infrastructural development as enunciated in the monumental ongoing projects across the country such as the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway, the Lagos- Maiduguri Highway are testaments to your leadership signature and development conscious pedigree.

“The economic reforms are gradually turning Nigeria into the preferred business destination of local and foreign investors; with the Naira making a strong rebound coupled with your ambitious and purposeful fiscal policies.

“Mr President, your achievements in the area of security are wholesome and commendable.

“In the last two years, the Nigerian Armed Forces have taken the war against insurgency to the doorstep of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements and the results are obvious and positive.

“No wonder, you have received torrents of endorsements to return to office in 2027 just two years into your first tenure.

“These endorsements are certainly not a fluke but founded on verifiable performance in good governance and delivery on campaign promises and undiluted national consciousness.”

“The senate remains committed to collaborating with the Executive arm of government under your able and dynamic leadership to ensure the success of these initiatives.

“We recognise the challenges that lie ahead and pledge to work together to address them.

“Mr President, we appreciate your leadership and vision for Nigeria’s growth and development. We look forward to continued partnership and progress in the years ahead,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania elected as AfDB President
Economy/Business , Foreign

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania elected as AfDB President

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By Ese Williams

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Tah was elected on Thursday by the Bank’s Board of Directors at the bank’s annual meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board comprises Finance and Economy ministers, Governors of Central Banks across Africa and the 81 regional and non-regional members of the bank.

The keenly contested election saw Amadou Hott of Senegal scoring 3.5 per cent of the total votes cast, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia 20.26 per cent and Tah 76.18 per cent.

The new president will take over from Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a Nigerian economist, who led the AfDB for 10 years following his election in 2015.

Niale Kaba, the Minister of Planning and Development for Cote d’ Ivoire and Chairman of the Board of Governors of AfDB, announced the results.

NAN reports that the president-elect is required to score about 50.1 per cent of regional and non-regional votes cast.

Tah has more than 35 years of experience both in African and International Finance.

He was president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for 19 years and transformed the bank’s balance sheet.

The president-elect also secured an AAA rating for the bank positioning it as one of the top on the continent.

He was also Mauritania’s former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.

As senior personnel of multilateral institution, he mobilised huge resources for Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Flood: NEMA preaches preparedness, mitigation strategies in Niger
General News

Flood: NEMA preaches preparedness, mitigation strategies in Niger

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By Rita Iliya

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger, had engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies towards alleviating the impact of anticipated floods in the state.

 

Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna on Thursday.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.

 

Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.

 

She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

 

“NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.

 

“This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.

 

The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.

 

According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.

 

“There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response.” she added.

 

Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.

 

Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.

 

NAN reports that in attendance were Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police, army amongst others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

LASIEC pledges inclusive, credible LG polls
Politics

LASIEC pledges inclusive, credible LG polls

238 total views today

 

By Adeyemi Adeleye

 

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has pledged to conduct an inclusive, hitch-free local government election that all would be proud of.

 

LASIEC’s Chairman, Justice Omobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, made the promise on Tuesday at a forum organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in Lagos.

 

The event was held ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12 in Lagos State.

 

The theme of the event was ‘Enhancing Credible and Inclusive Local Government Elections in Lagos State’.

 

“Democracy thrives when it is inclusive, participatory and truly reflects the diversity of society.

“At LASIEC, we firmly believe no one should be left behind—and no one will be,” Okikiolu-Ighile stated.

 

She stressed that the right to vote and be voted for is a constitutional and fundamental human right.

 

“LASIEC is the body responsible for conducting local government elections in Lagos and is fully committed to inclusivity,” she said.

 

She emphasised that all eligible citizens must have the opportunity to participate, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background.

 

According to her, trust and public confidence are essential to achieving free, fair and credible elections.

 

She added that such trust could only be built through active involvement of stakeholders like CCD and others.

 

“It’s about removing barriers and ensuring everyone is included in the democratic process,” she reiterated.

 

Okikiolu-Ighile said LASIEC was fully prepared for the July 12 elections, expecting voters to turn out in large numbers.

 

“The commission is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a transparent, inclusive and conclusive election process,” she noted.

 

She revealed LASIEC distributed application forms free to women, youths and persons with disabilities (PwDs) to encourage participation.

Okikiolu-Ighile reaffirmed LASIEC’s commitment to delivering election that is free, fair, credible and conclusive.

“We will maintain strong collaboration with stakeholders and create equal access across the political field,” she assured.

 

She added LASIEC would uphold public confidence by ensuring transparency throughout the electoral process.

 

She urged stakeholders to help educate and sensitise members on their voting rights and participation.

The LASIEC chair also assured residents of maximum security for all voters and candidates during the polls.

She confirmed that assistive materials — such as magnifying glasses and braille — would be provided at all voting centres.

CCD Programme Officer, Mrs Christiana Njoku, highlighted the importance of credible, inclusive electioneering processes.

Njoku praised LASIEC’s efforts in supporting inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities.

She, however, called on LASIEC to intensify efforts by providing braille, interpreters and other assistive tools.

She stressed the need for a conducive environment to enable all PwD clusters to vote on July 12. (NAN)

 

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Committee submits audit report on Accelerated Gas Development Projects
General News

Committee submits audit report on Accelerated Gas Development Projects

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By Taiye Agbaje

The Legal Audit Committee on Associated Gas Development Projects and Arbitration Matters has handed its final report to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The committee, chaired by Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, was tasked with auditing agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) linked to Nigeria’s accelerated gas development efforts.

Shasore, the senior partner at African Law Practice (ALP) NG & Co, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the project was inaugurated in November 2024 and the committee was mandated to align existing contracts with the Nigerian Gas Master Plan and to assess the extent of commercial risk Nigeria had been exposed to in past dealings.

Speaking during the presentation at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, Shasore said that the report offered a comprehensive review of critical gas agreements and arbitration cases.

He emphasised the need for structured risk assessment in contracts involving international stakeholders, pointing to past lapses that had left Nigeria vulnerable in commercial disputes.

He said among the report’s key recommendations was the creation of a legal risk matrix to preempt disputes and enhance Nigeria’s bargaining power in high-stakes deals.

According to him, the project also calls for institutional reforms in contract management and dispute resolution, particularly in sectors involving substantial foreign investment.

“The committee’s work covered not only concluded arbitration cases but also examined how previous missteps had translated into significant financial liabilities for the country.

“By identifying legal and procedural gaps, the report aims to protect national interests in future arbitrations and gas development negotiations,” Shasore said,

Fagbemi, while receiving the report, commended the committee’s effort, describing it as a bold step towards reinforcing Nigeria’s legal and economic resilience in the global gas sector.

“This report provides a blueprint for strengthening our contractual frameworks and will guide future engagements,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, made up of legal and commercial experts, worked intensively for over six months to produce what it was described as a “forward-looking document”.

NAN reports that on Nov. 11,2024, Fagbemi inaugurated the committee to audit agreements Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on AGDPs.

The move is part of efforts at preventing a repeat of the nation’s most unpleasant experience in the P&ID case which originated from one of such AGDPs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

FG to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage
Science & Tech

FG to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage

189 total views today

 

 

 

 

By Jessica Dogo

 

The Federal Government says  it plans to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage to underserved communities, with a focus to bridge digital divide and promote inclusive development in the country.

 

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he unveiled a pilot project in Ibwa 2 community, situated at Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

Tijani hinted that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the ministry should invest 7,000 in giving Nigerians access to network.

 

He noted that there were about 20 million rural dwellers who do not have access to benefit from such facilities.

 

“Nigeria has decided to invest 7,000 of these equipment in healthcare.

 

“There are about 20 million people who cannot benefit from what we that live in the city or those who are nearer to the city are currently enjoying.

 

“Out of that 20 million people over 80 per cent of them are from the northern part of Nigeria.

 

“This is why Mr President has demanded that we must put money into ensuring that this opportunity is not only available to those in the urban area but every part of the north must be covered with this equipment.

 

“So that we can give this opportunity to our people regardless of where they find themselves.”

 

He said that the project, in collaboration with Globacom Nigeria and Huawei Technologies Nigeria, would provide different digital services to over 12,000 residents of the community, and those within its environs.

 

He explained that the 7,000 digital hospitals and schools would provide services for 80 per cent of the 20 million unserved who were from northern states.

 

The minister in test running the digital facilities had online conversations with a medical doctor in Abuja and a teacher in Lagos.

 

He assured that the 7,000 projects would be delivered by the end of the year.

 

According to him, 125 smart phones had been provided to the community through the village Head to be used for services provided by the facility with free WiFi.

 

Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Terrens Wu expressed delight over the collaboration, saying that it would lead to rural transformation and economic empowerment of rural dwellers.

 

Mr Wu was optimistic that the project  would deepen financial inclusion and boost economic activities.

 

He also expressed the commitment of Huawei to rural and urban transformation in Nigeria.

 

“Huawei has the technology to shape the ways rural areas are carried along in the plan for digital transformation and literacy in the country,” he said.

 

The Manager Globacom Nigeria Northern Region, Mr Kassim Kaka emphasised the company’s commitment to ventures that would improve digital literacy and deepen inclusion in the country.

 

The Village Head of Ibwa 2 Community, Abubakar Bamaiyi, appreciated the government for the projects, saying in the past, government officials would visit the community and make promises, but nothing would follow.

 

“In the past government officials would come and make promises but they end up doing nothing. But this time around you people came and within this short period you have delivered.

 

“Our children can even learn from their beds. And we can access medical care through this digital hospital.

 

“The project has revived the peoples confidence in the present administration, and the villagers will take advantage of the projects to improve their living standards and businesses,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Yakubu Uba

2nd anniversary: Tinubu performance in FCT unprecedented – Wike
General News

2nd anniversary: Tinubu performance in FCT unprecedented – Wike

176 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the performance of President Bola Tinubu in the FCT in the last two years is unprecedented.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Thursday, after he inspected some ongoing projects in preparation for inauguration to celebrate Tinubu’s second anniversary.

The minister said he was very happy with the achievements recorded by Tinubu, particularly as it concerns the FCT saying “it has never happened before”.

He said that Tinubu has done tremendously well, adding that his performance was evident in every part of the country.

Wike said that following the visible performance, Nigerians were already advocating that Tinubu should be given another opportunity to serve.

“Tinubu’s achievements in FCT are unprecedented, and in the next two and four years, you’ll see what is going to happen in this country.

“Yesterday I said the simple truth, all of us who are critics have said before that Abuja was not working but have now confessed that Abuja is now working.

“Who has made it to work? It is Mr President,” he said.

The minister said he would concentrate and focus on the assignment given to him by Tinubu to transform Abuja to a befitting capital city that Nigerians would be proud of.

Speaking on the projects’ inspection, Wike said that the move was to ensure that the contractors deliver the projects as promised.

He said he was particularly impressed with the delivery of the Apo to Wassa Junction Road, (the left-wing service lane of the Outer Southern Expressway). Which he said was 100 per cent completed.

He said that the Apo – Wassa road would also be fitted with streetlights to improve security in the area, adding that the contractor CGC has already submitted a proposal to that effect.

“We also went to N20 Interchange to connect Wole Soyinka Way with the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, popularly known as Kubwa Expressway which would be completed and inaugurated.

“We equally inspected the access road from the Obafemi Awolowo Way to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in Dakibiyu District, which is also expected to be completed and inaugurated.

“Frankly speaking, like I have always said, the residents of Abuja deserve the best and the contractors are doing their best I can assure you that.

“For me, I cannot give nothing less,” he said.

The minister said that Tinubu had insisted that Nigeria deserved the best “and we will do everything we can to make sure we give them the best.

“You can see the infrastructure in terms of roads. It is unimaginable and we will continue to do that.”

He, however, called on residents of the FCT to also perform their obligation and support the administration for the interest of Abuja and the entire Nigerians. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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